Small talk and friendly people

Indeed there seems to be a "talkativeness gradient" from north to south. People in Finland talk less than in Germany, and Germans in turn less than Italians. Here it is really southern, people chat on the bus, in the supermarket,... But my flatmates told me that there is also a noticeable difference between the east and west coast.

For example, I overheard a conversation on the bus to campus. A man sitting next to a girl with nicely decorated boots.
He: "Oh, are your boots custom-made?"
She: "Yes, they were made for my aunt, but then she thought that because I'm a hippie they would suit me perfectly." A bit more conversation. Then she continues  passionately her pencil drawings on her sketch block.
He: "And what are you studying?"
She: "I'm studying to become a sculptural architect."  
A bit more conversation. Then he is about to get off the bus.
He: "Take care!"
She: "You too!"

Two days ago in the supermarket. I was carrying my viola with me because I had been practicing in the music center and I stopped in the supermarket on my way home from campus. Comparing different cookies and brownies in a large shelf.
Shop assistant: "Oh, is this a violin?"
I: "No, it's a viola."
He: "How nice, what a beautiful instrument!"
I: "I think so, too :-)"
He: "But I hardly ever see any musical instruments here in the shop."
And so on. Next he wanted to know if I study music, where I am from, if I like Santa Cruz,... Of course I do! :-)

From Chicago last year I was already used to greetings like "Hi, how are you?", but here they sometimes even ask "Hi, how was your day?". And in addition the longer conversations, always with a nice smile. Even though Germans usually only say the most necessary things in everyday situations, they could at least do it in a bit more friendly or enthusiastic way... On the other hand, I cannot imagine that the person at the checkout counter is honestly interested in the happenings of my day...

Furthermore, I had a good experience in the uni cafeteria of the marine and earth science department (SCIPP does not have one). When I arrived, they were just about to close and could not prepare another coffee (like extra grand latte with caramel). But when I asked for a small, plane black coffee, they were so kind to sell me one. I also wanted to buy the last oatmeal cookie, but they gave it to me for free because they had to get rid of it. It was delicious :-)